174 research outputs found
Hypoparathyroidism in Transfusion-Dependent Patients with β-Thalassemia
No full textPurpose: To determine the prevalence of hypoparathyroidism in transfusion -dependent patients with β-thalassemia. Patients and Methods: A total of 28 transfusion-dependent patients with β-thalassemia were interviewed, and their serum calcium, phosphate, magnesium, and intact parathyroid hormone levels were checked. Serum ferritin levels were measured to monitor the effect of chelation therapy. Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, total protein, and albumin were measured in patients with undetectable or low intact parathyroid hormone levels. Results: The prevalence of hypoparathyoidism was 10.7% (3/28). Mean age at diagnosis was 18 years. The serum ferritin levels of patients with hypoparathyroidism were 1,032, 2,102, and 7,680μg/L. Only one patient had clinical symptoms of hypocalcemia. All three of the patients with hypoparathyroidism had hypogonadism, and 66.7% (2/3) of the patients had insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Conclusions: Hypoparathyroidism in transfusion- dependent patients with β-thalassemia seems to be accompanied by other endocrinopathies. Serum ferritin may not have been a reliable indicator of iron overload in the three patients with hypoparathyroidism. Severe iron overload would easily explain these multiple endocrinopathies. This pattern is commonly seen in iron-overloaded patients with thalassemia elsewhere
Interconnection networks for parallel and distributed computing
Get PDFParallel computers are generally either shared-memory machines or distributed- memory machines. There are currently technological limitations on shared-memory architectures and so parallel computers utilizing a large number of processors tend tube distributed-memory machines. We are concerned solely with distributed-memory multiprocessors. In such machines, the dominant factor inhibiting faster global computations is inter-processor communication. Communication is dependent upon the topology of the interconnection network, the routing mechanism, the flow control policy, and the method of switching. We are concerned with issues relating to the topology of the interconnection network. The choice of how we connect processors in a distributed-memory multiprocessor is a fundamental design decision. There are numerous, often conflicting, considerations to bear in mind. However, there does not exist an interconnection network that is optimal on all counts and trade-offs have to be made. A multitude of interconnection networks have been proposed with each of these networks having some good (topological) properties and some not so good. Existing noteworthy networks include trees, fat-trees, meshes, cube-connected cycles, butterflies, Möbius cubes, hypercubes, augmented cubes, k-ary n-cubes, twisted cubes, n-star graphs, (n, k)-star graphs, alternating group graphs, de Bruijn networks, and bubble-sort graphs, to name but a few. We will mainly focus on k-ary n-cubes and (n, k)-star graphs in this thesis. Meanwhile, we propose a new interconnection network called augmented k-ary n- cubes. The following results are given in the thesis.1. Let k ≥ 4 be even and let n ≥ 2. Consider a faulty k-ary n-cube Q(^k_n) in which the number of node faults f(_n) and the number of link faults f(_e) are such that f(_n) + f(_e) ≤ 2n - 2. We prove that given any two healthy nodes s and e of Q(^k_n), there is a path from s to e of length at least k(^n) - 2f(_n) - 1 (resp. k(^n) - 2f(_n) - 2) if the nodes s and e have different (resp. the same) parities (the parity of a node Q(^k_n) in is the sum modulo 2 of the elements in the n-tuple over 0, 1, ∙∙∙ , k - 1 representing the node). Our result is optimal in the sense that there are pairs of nodes and fault configurations for which these bounds cannot be improved, and it answers questions recently posed by Yang, Tan and Hsu, and by Fu. Furthermore, we extend known results, obtained by Kim and Park, for the case when n = 2.2. We give precise solutions to problems posed by Wang, An, Pan, Wang and Qu and by Hsieh, Lin and Huang. In particular, we show that Q(^k_n) is bi-panconnected and edge-bipancyclic, when k ≥ 3 and n ≥ 2, and we also show that when k is odd, Q(^k_n) is m-panconnected, for m = (^n(k - 1) + 2k - 6’ / ‘_2), and (k -1) pancyclic (these bounds are optimal). We introduce a path-shortening technique, called progressive shortening, and strengthen existing results, showing that when paths are formed using progressive shortening then these paths can be efficiently constructed and used to solve a problem relating to the distributed simulation of linear arrays and cycles in a parallel machine whose interconnection network is Q(^k_n) even in the presence of a faulty processor.3. We define an interconnection network AQ(^k_n) which we call the augmented k-ary n-cube by extending a k-ary n-cube in a manner analogous to the existing extension of an n-dimensional hypercube to an n-dimensional augmented cube. We prove that the augmented k-ary n-cube Q(^k_n) has a number of attractive properties (in the context of parallel computing). For example, we show that the augmented k-ary n-cube Q(^k_n) - is a Cayley graph (and so is vertex-symmetric); has connectivity 4n - 2, and is such that we can build a set of 4n - 2 mutually disjoint paths joining any two distinct vertices so that the path of maximal length has length at most max{{n- l)k- (n-2), k + 7}; has diameter [(^k) / (_3)] + [(^k - 1) /( _3)], when n = 2; and has diameter at most (^k) / (_4) (n+ 1), for n ≥ 3 and k even, and at most [(^k)/ (_4) (n + 1) + (^n) / (_4), for n ^, for n ≥ 3 and k odd.4. We present an algorithm which given a source node and a set of n - 1 target nodes in the (n, k)-star graph S(_n,k) where all nodes are distinct, builds a collection of n - 1 node-disjoint paths, one from each target node to the source. The collection of paths output from the algorithm is such that each path has length at most 6k - 7, and the algorithm has time complexity O(k(^3)n(^4))
Delayed Treatment of Diagnosed Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Taiwan
Get PDFAbstract Background Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is an ongoing public health problem in Taiwan. The National Tuberculosis Registry Campaign, a case management system, was implemented in 1997. This study examined this monitoring system to identify and characterize delayed treatment of TB patients. Methods Records of all tuberculosis cases treated in Taiwan from 2002 through 2005 were obtained from the National Tuberculosis Registry Campaign. Initiation of treatment more than 7 days after diagnosis was considered a long treatment delay. Results The study included 31,937 patients. The mean day of delayed treatment was 3.6 days. Most patients were treated immediately after diagnosis. The relationship between number of TB patients and days of delayed treatment after diagnosis exhibited a Power-law distribution. The long tail of the power-law distribution indicated that an extreme number occur cannot be neglected. Tuberculosis patients treated after an unusually long delay require close observation and follow up. Conclusion This study found that TB control is generally acceptabl in Taiwan; however, delayed treatment increases the risk of transmission. Improving the protocol for managing confirmed TB cases can minimize disease transmission.</p
Long time, no tweets! Time-aware personalised hashtag suggestion
Get PDFMicroblogging systems, such as the popular service Twitter, are an important real-time source of information however due to the amount of new information constantly appearing on such services, it is difficult for users to organise, search and re-find posts. Hashtags, short keywords prefixed by a # symbol, can assist users in performing these tasks, however despite their utility, they are quite infrequently used. This work considers the problem of hashtag recommendation where we wish to suggest appropriate tags which the user could assign to a new post. By identifying temporal patterns in the use of hashtags and employing personalisation techniques we construct novel prediction models which build on the best features of existing methods. Using a large sample of data from the Twitter API we test our novel approaches against a number of competitive baselines and are able to demonstrate significant performance improvements, particularly for hashtags that have large amounts of historical data available
Hong Kong cinema 1982-2002 : the quest for identity during transition
No full textElectronic redacted version excludes material for which permission has not been granted by the rights holderThis thesis seeks to interpret the cinematic representations of Hong Kongers’ identity quest during a transitional state/stage related to the sovereignty transfer. The Handover transition considered is an ideological one, rather than the overnight polity change on the Handover day. This research approaches contemporary Hong Kong cinema on two fronts and the thesis is structured accordingly: Upon an initial review of the existing Hong Kong film scholarship in the Introduction, and its 1997-related allegorical readings, Part I sees new angles (previously undeveloped or underdeveloped) for researching Hong Kong films made during 1982-2002. Arguments are built along the ideas of Hong Kongers’ situational, diasporic consciousness, and transformed ‘Chineseness’ because Hong Kong has lacked a cultural/national centrality. This part of research is informed by the ideas of Jacques Derrida, Homi Bhabha and Stuart Hall, and the diasporic experiences of Ien Ang, Rey Chow and Ackbar Abbas. With these new research angles and references to the circumstances, Part II reads critically the text of eight Hong Kong films made during the Handover transition. In chronological order, they are Boat People (Hui, 1982), Song of the Exile (Hui, 1990), Days of Being Wild (Wong, 1990), Happy Together (Wong, 1997), Made in Hong Kong (Chan, 1997), Ordinary Heroes (Hui, 1999), Durian Durian (Chan, 2000), and Hollywood Hong Kong (Chan, 2002). They meet several criteria related to the undeveloped / underdeveloped areas in the existing Hong Kong film scholarship. Hamid Naficy’s ‘accented cinema’ paradigm gives the guidelines to the film analysis in Part II. This part shows that Hong Kongers’ self-transformation during transition is alterable, indeterminate, and interminable, due to the people’s situational, diasporic consciousness, and transformed ‘Chineseness’. This thesis thus contributes to Hong Kong cinema scholarship in interpreting films with new research angles, and generating new insights into this cinematic tradition and its wider context
Abnormal Glucose Tolerance in Transfusion-Dependent Beta- Thalassemic Patients
No full textOBJECTIVE- To study the prevalence of and risk factors for abnormal glucose tolerance in transfusion-dependent beta- thalassemic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS- A total of 89 transfusion-dependent beta- thalassemic patients were interviewed. Diabetes was previously diagnosed in 14 of them . In the remaining 75 patients, 68 participated in an oral glucose tolerance test. Potential risk factors were identified using the independent t test, X2 test, and Fisher 's exact test. Logistic regression analysis was used to select the independent risk factors that best predicted abnormal glucose tolerance. A two-tailed P value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS- The prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance was 8.5% (7 of 82) and that of diabetes was 19. 5% (16 of 82). Presentation with diabetic ketoacidosis was 31.1% (5 of 16) . The risk factors for abnormal glucose tolerance found in transfusion- dependent beta-thalassemic patients were serum ferritin concentration and hepatitis C infection. CONCLUSIONS- The interaction of iron overload and hepatitis C infection worsened the prognosis of thalassemic patients. Aggressive iron-chelation therapy as well as prevention and treatment of hepatitis C infection should be mandatory in managing glucose homeostasis in transfusion-dependent beta- thalassemic patients in Taiwan
Trace elements(Cu,Zn,As) in sea water and sludge around the desalination plant - A study on Penghu
No full textThis study evaluated the environmental impact of seawater desalination effluent discharged into a water body by investigating potentially toxic trace elements(PTTEs) in the outfall area of a desalination facility on the southeastern coast of Penghu Island (Taiwan). Trace element concentrations are analyzed using various samples (sediment and seawater). Copper, zinc and arsenic were detected in sediment samples in the outfall area and decreased progressively as one moved away from this area. A contour plotting technique was applied to assess and visualize trace element pollution point sources (inputs) in the study area. Temporal trends of trace element concentrations are investigated by comparing biannual concentrations for a 2-year period (2006\ue22009.2). There is no obvious accumulation in the seawater and the sediments. Further, more a hazard index (HI) is applied to assess the potential hazard of contaminants to the environment. If the priority is to improve water quality, focus should be placed on Cu (HI=0.32). On the other hand, if the priority is sediment quality, the concentration (HI=0.66) should be reduced. If the two HIs (seawater and sediment) are considered together, As (HI=0.71) becomes the highest-ranking trace element, followed by Zn (HI=0.60)
Mesoscale Modeling of Vertical Ozone Profiles in Southern Taiwan
No full textVertical simulations of ozone were made using a TAPM (The Air Pollution Model) at the Linyuan site in Kaohsiung County, southern Taiwan. Ozone was simulated at altitudes of 0, 100, 300, 500 and 1000 m from November 23 to 25 in 2005 and March 21 to 23 in 2006. The surface ozone concentrations that were predicted using TAPM were high (33.7 12119 ppbv) in the daytime (10:00 1216:00) and were low (10 1240 ppbv) at other times, which predictions were consistent with the observations. The simulated surface ozone concentrations reveal that costal lands typically had higher ozone concentrations than those inland, because most industrial parks are located in or close to the boundaries of Kaohsiung City. Both measurements and simulations indicate that daytime ozone concentrations decreased quickly with increasing height at altitudes below 300 m; while nighttime ozone concentrations were lower at low altitudes (50 to 300 m) than at higher altitudes, partly because of dry deposition and titration of surface ozone by the near-surface nitrogen oxides (NOx) and partly because of the existence of the residual layer above the stable nocturnal boundary layer. The simulations show a good correlation between the maximum daytime surface ozone concentration and average nighttime ozone concentration above the nocturnal boundary layer
Biooxidation of gas-borne hydrogen sulfide and chemical oxidation of gas-borne odorants from rubber processing
No full textThis dissertation consists of two parts on the treatment of hydrogen sulfide and odorants in gases emitted from rubber processing industry. In the first part, we study performance of removal hydrogen sulfide with bioscrubber. An activated sludge aeration tank (W \uc3 L \uc3 H = 0.40 \uc3 0.40 \uc3 3.00 m) with a 2 mm-orifice air sparger was used to treat gaseous hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The investigation tested the operational stability as well as how the removal ability of H2S was affected by influent H2S concentration (C0 = 50-900 ppm), aeration intensity (Q/V = 0.083-0.50 m3 m-3 min-1), liquid depth (H = 0.5-3.0 m), and mixed-liquor suspended solids concentration (MLSS = 970-2,800 mg L-1). Experimental results indicate that H2S removal efficiencies of 96% and over 98% were obtained with H = 0.5 m and H > 1.0 m in the cited operation conditions, respectively. Experimental results also indicate no sludge bulking problem occurred with total sulfide loadings of 0.047-0.148 kg S kg-1 MLSS d-1.
The second part aimed at the removal of odorous compounds in gases emitted from rubber processing industries. Simulated odorous gas for test was prepared by mixing fresh air and an odorous gas drawn from an oven in which a sample of rubber powder was kept either at 160\uc2\ub0C (for a thermal plastic rubber) or 200\uc2\ub0C (for a thermal setting rubber). The prepared odorous gas was then premixed with a definite amount of ozone-enriched air and introduced into a contact system. The contact system consists of two sieve-plate columns connected in series and each column has four 1-L chambers. Depending on with or without introducing circulating scrubbing water into the columns, the oxidation reaction could be either wet or dry one. Results indicate the wet oxidation got better performances than the dry one. The former got 97 and over 90% removal of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and odorous intensity removal, respectively, with the operation conditions of initial ozone concentration 4.0 ppm, THC (total hydrocarbon) concentrations 6.5\ue210.3 ppm (methane equivalent), oxidation temperature 37.3\uc2\ub0C, gas empty bed retention time (EBRT) 12 s, and liquid/gas rate ratio 0.01 m3/m3. With conditions similar to those cited above, odor concentration (dilutions to the threshold, D/T) in the test gas could be reduced from 1,738\ue23,090 to 31\ue298 with EBRTs of 11.4\ue214.5 s. Activated carbon is effective for both physical and chemical removals of residual VOCs, odorous compounds, and ozone in the effluent gas from the ozonation system. Economical analysis indicates that around US$ 0.16 is required for treating 1,000 m3 of the tested foul gas by the proposed ozonation process
A Student on Pilot-Scale Biosparging Treatment of a Petroleun VOCs Contaminatal Site Caused by Leakage of Underground Storage Tanks
No full textAbstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of biosparging for in situ remediation of groundwater at a site contaminated by petrochemicals. To this end, laboratory-scale (lab-scale for short) and pilot-scale tests were carried out. In the lab-scale study, three possible ways (i.e., by injecting air, by adding hydrogen peroxide, and by adding magnesium peroxide) of increasing the dissolved oxygen content in the groundwater were evaluated in terms of the resulting total bacterial count. Under the conditions used in this work, air injection was found to the most effective one. By injecting compressed air into the mixture of petrochemicals-contaminated soil and groundwater at a flow rate of 175mL/min for five minutes, the total bacterial count of the aerobic bacteria was increased greatly from 102CFU/mL to 107CFU/mL. The concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylenes (BTEX) also were reduced to lower than 0.5\uce\ubcg/L.
Based on the findings obtained from the lab-scale study, air injection was adopted for the enhancement of pilot-scale in situ bioremediation of petrochemicals-contaminated groundwater at a selected site in a petrochemical plant. To evaluate the treatment efficiency of biosparging for the removal of BTEX and naphthalene, in addition to an upstream groundwater well, six one-meter-apart monitoring wells were installed in at the test site the flow direction of groundwater. In the center of the test site, one air injection well and ten soil gas monitoring points also were installed to determining the radius of influence of the air injection well. It was found that an air injection rate of 40L/min was capable of providing sufficient air to all of the monitoring wells of groundwater and increasing the total bacterial count of aerobic bacteria from the order of 102CFU/mL to 106CFU/mL. For a test period of 99 days, the concentrations of all target contaminants in each groundwater monitoring well were decreased markedly. More specifically, the total organic carbon was reduced from 12.7-43.4 mg/L to 3.5-14.9 mg/L; biochemical oxygen demand, from 124-526 mg/L to 43-153 mg/L; benzene; toluene, from 29.88-62.34 mg/L to 11.72-12.82 mg/L ; ethyl benzene, from 0.92-5.30 mg/L to 0.86 mg/L-< 0.5\uce\ubcg/L; xylenes, from 9.31-47.58 mg/L to 4.07 mg/L -< 0.5\uce\ubcg/L; and naphthalene, from15.31-0.92 mg/L to < 0.5 \uce\ubcg/L. Additionally, pH, temperature, and concentrations of various cations determined for the groundwater as well.
During the 99-day test period, the following were found: pH varied in the range of 6.75-7.45; temperature, 30-32\ue2; Ca2+, 45-65 mg/L; Mg 2+, 16-24 mg/L; Na+, 35-60 mg/L; K+, 8-14 mg/L; and total iron, 2.0-4.0 mg/L.
Thus, under the conditions used in this work, the biosparging technology employed was found to have an overall treatment efficiency of over 60% for BTEX and 100% for naphthalene. To increase the overall treatment efficiency, a prolonged air injection is needed at this test site.
Keywords: biosparging, groundwater, contaminated site, petrochemical
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